India is closely monitoring developments at Bangladesh’s Lalmonirhat Airbase, where a Chinese air defence radar system is reportedly being installed. The base’s proximity to India’s ‘Chicken’s Neck’ corridor, a strategically crucial narrow strip of land, has raised alarms within New Delhi’s defence establishment. Reports indicate that crucial parts of the radar system have been delivered, and construction of a new hangar to accommodate fighter jets is nearing completion. This deployment follows a visit by an Indian military delegation to assess the security landscape in the region. While Bangladesh may not pose a direct military threat, the potential for its infrastructure to be used by regional rivals is a point of concern for India. There are also reports of prior engagements between Bangladeshi military officials and Chinese defense companies concerning the acquisition of advanced surface-to-air missiles and radar technology. The specific JSG-400 TDR radar system is understood to be a key part of this planned upgrade. This move complements Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to enhance its air defence capabilities, including the recent commissioning of a long-range surveillance radar system in Bogura.
